Feast Day : January 9
Peter of Sebaste was born around 340 to Basil the Elder and Emmelia of Caesarea, Cappadocia (in modern Turkey). He was the youngest of 10 children. He received religious training especially from his sister, Macrina the Younger, who had been taught by her grandmother, Macrina the Elder. After his brother Basil became bishop of Caesarea, Peter was ordained by him, and then lived the life of a solitary ascetic. When Macrina and Emmelia set up their monastery on the family estate on the River Iris, Peter assisted them and presided over the men. Around 380–381, Peter was named bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. Like Basil and Gregory, he fought against the Arian heresy, and proved adept at administration of his duties. Peter was not a writer like his brothers, but followed their writings with great interest. He influenced Gregory to write some of his important works, including Against Eunomius, which defended Basil’s criticism of the works of Eunomius; Treatise on the Work of the Six Days, also in defense of a similar treatise by Basil; and On the Endowment of Man. Peter died in 391 and was venerated as a saint after his death.
